Flying!

[justakrazymom]

We normally drive but got amazing fares for our Sept trip this AM.. so we are flying SW out of Hartford. It's been 13 years since I've flown and my younger kids have never flown.. any tips? we pack light even when we drive so i'm not worried about luggage..just everything else..lol

 

[Sugar Jones]

We are flying for the first time with the kids this year as well. I haven't flown in 12 years!

There are great departure prices for us on SW out of Flint, MI, but we are returning on the 28th and those dates are not out yet!!! I'm going crazy deciding what to do

 

[justakrazymom]

We are flying for the first time with the kids this year as well. I haven't flown in 12 years!

There are great departure prices for us on SW out of Flint, MI, but we are returning on the 28th and those dates are not out yet!!! I'm going crazy deciding what to do

yeah I am very glad my departure date is the 27th..lol..we added another day on the beginning to get a lower price .lol

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Only liquids in 3 oz bottle or less put into 1 of the 1 quart ziplock bags are allowed thru security. You are allow one ziplock bag per person and you must pull it out of your luggage to be screened by TSA. If your airport has the new body scanners you will have to remove everything from your pockets before going through security including kleenex. You will have to remove you shoes no matter what screening machine they have.
Every one needs photo ID Arrive 2 hours before your flight takes off. If you take off time is say 2:30 be at your gate no later than 1:45. I watched as a family of 5 came to the gate 5 minutes before their flight only to be told they could not board because the aircraft door was closed. The father argued with the gate agent that the flight was suppose to leave at 1:00. But the agent told him that means that is the time the plane will leave the ground.
Needless to say they also could not get a flight out for 2 days!!! So don't be late.

What else would you llike to know.

 

[Sugar Jones]

Only liquids in 3 oz bottle or less put into 1 of the 1 quart ziplock bags are allowed thru security. You are allow one ziplock bag per person and you must pull it out of your luggage to be screened by TSA. If your airport has the new body scanners you will have to remove everything from your pockets before going through security including kleenex. You will have to remove you shoes no matter what screening machine they have.
Every one needs photo ID Arrive 2 hours before your flight takes off. If you take off time is say 2:30 be at your gate no later than 1:45. I watched as a family of 5 came to the gate 5 minutes before their flight only to be told they could not board because the aircraft door was closed. The father argued with the gate agent that the flight was suppose to leave at 1:00. But the agent told him that means that is the time the plane will leave the ground.
Needless to say they also could not get a flight out for 2 days!!! So don't be late.

What else would you llike to know.

What about checked bags and liquids? For example can I put a full shampoo/conditioner bottle in ziplock in the checked luggage or is that limited to 3 oz as well?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What about checked bags and liquids? For example can I put a full shampoo/conditioner bottle in ziplock in the checked luggage or is that limited to 3 oz as well?

Go to tsa.org. You will find all the information you need regarding what is and is not allowed in checked and carry-on baggage. You can also get baggage information from your airline's website.

A PP gave incorrect information about shoes through security. Children 12 and under do not have to remove shoes.

 

[justakrazymom]

Only liquids in 3 oz bottle or less put into 1 of the 1 quart ziplock bags are allowed thru security. You are allow one ziplock bag per person and you must pull it out of your luggage to be screened by TSA. If your airport has the new body scanners you will have to remove everything from your pockets before going through security including kleenex. You will have to remove you shoes no matter what screening machine they have.
Every one needs photo ID Arrive 2 hours before your flight takes off. If you take off time is say 2:30 be at your gate no later than 1:45. I watched as a family of 5 came to the gate 5 minutes before their flight only to be told they could not board because the aircraft door was closed. The father argued with the gate agent that the flight was suppose to leave at 1:00. But the agent told him that means that is the time the plane will leave the ground.
Needless to say they also could not get a flight out for 2 days!!! So don't be late.

What else would you llike to know.

I dont forsee needing to bring any liquids with us on the plane. Electronics.. I have 7,9,11year olds.. they will want their kindles and such.. are those allowed? Our flight is at 8:10 am..we will be there by 6am because I am OCD..lol

I plan to do early bird so we can have a better chance of a decent boarding and all being together.

 

[monorailsilver]

What about checked bags and liquids? For example can I put a full shampoo/conditioner bottle in ziplock in the checked luggage or is that limited to 3 oz as well?

I would put more then one zip lock bag around that shampoo/conditioner. I have had laundry detergent leak & thankfully I doubled bagged them & then put them all in a 3rd bag. And that went UPS (since then I use powder when I travel).

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Liquids in a checked bag can be of any size.

yes electronics are allowed on board. They will tell you when it is safe to turn them on.

As for arrival at the airport.. Check with your airport to see what time the check in desk opens otherwise you might have to stand for awhile.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I would put more then one zip lock bag around that shampoo/conditioner. I have had laundry detergent leak & thankfully I doubled bagged them & then put them all in a 3rd bag. And that went UPS (since then I use powder when I travel).

I have no idea what I'm bringing yet, we are not going until September I was just curious

 

[justakrazymom]

Liquids in a checked bag can be of any size.

yes electronics are allowed on board. They will tell you when it is safe to turn them on.

As for arrival at the airport.. Check with your airport to see what time the check in desk opens otherwise you might have to stand for awhile.

my oldest and mom have flown the last 2 years so I can get info from them for some of this. We took their luggage with us though so the whole luggage thing is new to me.

 

[justakrazymom]

we usually travel with duffle bags.. those ok?

 

[ChristmasElf]

we usually travel with duffle bags.. those ok?

Duffle bags are fine. If they are not oversized, you can take them as a carryon.

If you go to the trial/travel size aisle in Target (usually near the pharmacy) you will find travel size shampoo,deoderants, etc.
They also sell a travel pack that has the empty bottles, pump spray bottle and the quart size zipper bag for around $8.99 so you can fill each bottle with your favorite shampoo,etc.

Kids under 12 and adults before 1937 do not have to remove their shoes.

Make it really easy. Go to Costco and buy each child a rollerboard (suitcase that can be used as a carry on that has wheels) $99 GREAT quality (Kirkland brand)
You will easily be able to fit a pair of shoes, clothes for 5-6 days,etc.
For the second carry on item, give them each a back pack -this can hold the Kindle, a snack, sweatshirt, and anything else they may need.

Then you won't have to worry about checking luggage!

 

[G719]

With southwest, you get 2 bags checked free per person. Minors aren't required to have photo id. I think going through security is the most nerve wracking. I thought I would loose something or somebody. Just give yourself plenty of time to get through and be waiting at the gate. I think most recommendations are 1.5 - 2 hours before your flight to arrive at the airport.

 

[sharadoc]

We normally drive but got amazing fares for our Sept trip this AM.. so we are flying SW out of Hartford. It's been 13 years since I've flown and my younger kids have never flown.. any tips? we pack light even when we drive so i'm not worried about luggage..just everything else..lol

WHAAAAAT!?!?!?!

Let us know how it goes since you're used to driving. I couldn't handle giving up our independence, but if the fares are low enough, why not, right?? Enjoy.

 

[sam_gordon]

Make sure you have enough stuff in your carryons to "survive" 24 hours without your luggage. This includes, but is not limited to:
* Clothing (sleep & new clothes for next day)
* Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, contact stuff, glasses, etc)
* Medicines
* All Electronics

There will be two periods on each flight where electronics will need to be OFF...
* When they close the cabin door until the plane reaches 10,000 Ft (there will be an announcement) on departure
* When the plane decends through 10,000 Ft until off the runway (there will be announcements).

 

[justakrazymom]

Duffle bags are fine. If they are not oversized, you can take them as a carryon.

If you go to the trial/travel size aisle in Target (usually near the pharmacy) you will find travel size shampoo,deoderants, etc.
They also sell a travel pack that has the empty bottles, pump spray bottle and the quart size zipper bag for around $8.99 so you can fill each bottle with your favorite shampoo,etc.

Kids under 12 and adults before 1937 do not have to remove their shoes.

Make it really easy. Go to Costco and buy each child a rollerboard (suitcase that can be used as a carry on that has wheels) $99 GREAT quality (Kirkland brand)
You will easily be able to fit a pair of shoes, clothes for 5-6 days,etc.
For the second carry on item, give them each a back pack -this can hold the Kindle, a snack, sweatshirt, and anything else they may need.

Then you won't have to worry about checking luggage!

the kids all have rolling bags..not sure I want to drag all that on the plane..lol.. we shall see..

 

[justakrazymom]

WHAAAAAT!?!?!?!

Let us know how it goes since you're used to driving. I couldn't handle giving up our independence, but if the fares are low enough, why not, right?? Enjoy.

yep.. cant beat the price we got AND My van is a lease and we are over miles from 2 drives down there..a 3rd would def be hard to make up.. I am a terrible passenger and spend the entire 21+ hours on a state of near panic..lol.. flying will be only 3 hours of near panic..LOL

 

[iluveeyore]

If you're not sure how your kids will handle the plane as far as ear-popping goes, I strongly suggest Ear Planes ear plugs - my DH is always in agony when we fly and his ears don't pop for at least two days, so I bought Ear Planes at Walmart as suggested here on the DIS, and he calls them his miracle cure! Flew there and back last month happy as a clam! They come in adult and children size. Otherwise, make sure you have candy or gum to help on the flight - the more they swallow, the better the ride!